Aussie demolition makes Ireland Europe's top guns

Ireland's last major international before their crumbling ruin of a ground is redeveloped saw them equal their record win over Australia and, even though the home side might have been expected to prevail in filthy conditions which were alien to most of the Wallabies, the manner of the triumph, the mature and skilful demolition of a side who contested the last World Cup final, was significant.

Ireland have threatened during Eddie O'Sullivan's six-year reign, but instead of championships and grand slams they have delivered only a couple of triple crowns - nearly men walking away with the consolation prize.

With France and England visiting Croke Park in the Six Nations, the Irish have the potential to go into the World Cup as European champions. The Australia coach John Connolly said before yesterday's match that Ireland had their best team in living memory and the first half did nothing to contradict his belief. The Wallabies had the benefit of a strong wind blowing down the ground from the south, but they were unable to make any use of it because of the ferocity of the men in green's play at the breakdown and their ability to retain possession and move the ball quickly.

Either side of the abandonment of amateurism 11 years ago the major southern hemisphere teams had a distinct advantage over the Celts in terms of physique. Australia, South Africa and New Zealand piled up one record score after another thanks not so much to superior skills but to conditioning levels Ireland, Scotland and Wales could not begin to match, bullied mercilessly off the ball.

It was the Wallabies who came second in the physical battle yesterday as the Irish hit rucks at pace and in numbers. The flanker Neil Best resembled Sébastien Chabal in appearance and style, a wrecking ball of a back-row who never missed an opportunity to put in a big hit, but it was the dual nature of Ireland's game, intensity and skill, the ability to sustain and absorb pressure, which put them beyond an Australian team who twice ran New Zealand close in the summer.

Ireland opted to play against the wind in the opening period having won the toss, a risky decision because the forecast was for the wind and the rain to get worse and the strategy ran the danger of having to overcome a deficit in the second half in badly deteriorating conditions, but so dominant were Ireland after Stirling Mortlock had kicked a fifth-minute penalty that the only surprise at half-time was that they were not more than 15-3 ahead.

They scored two tries in 14 minutes, both the result of interplay between forwards and backs, and were denied a third when Geordan Murphy lost control of the ball on the line. There was little sign of what was to come in the opening minutes as Australia moved the ball around without making inroads, but once Mortlock had missed a penalty after seven minutes Ireland laid claim to the ball and the Wallabies were forced into all-out defence.

Ronan O'Gara kicked an equalising penalty on 15 minutes but it should have been more: Ireland moved the ball from left to right with Brian O'Driscoll causing problems with his outside breaks, and the captain's pass to Murphy would have earned a try had not the Leicester full-back not lost the ball in touching it down.

Ireland were not put off. When John Hayes wrecked an Australian lineout by mauling the ball off Al Baxter, O'Driscoll wasted the chance but the home side kept their focus and composure and ended a spell of pressure with a try when O'Gara's kick to the left wing was gathered by Denis Hickie, who evaded three tacklers to score.

Ireland's backs were looking for forwards to run at, O'Gara slipping by Nathan Sharpe, and they struck the crucial blow shortly before half-time. Australia kicked a penalty to touch from near their own line but made only 20 yards. Donncha O'Callaghan stole the lineout ball, which was moved right for Shane Horgan to free Murphy with an inside pass.

The second period was anticlimactic in comparison. Australia stiffened their resolve and Ireland played for position as handling became more precarious.

The half was most notable for a scuffle between Phil Waugh and Denis Leamy. Mat Rogers joined in and the three were sent to the sin-bin, but Australia were fortunate not to lose a third player because Chris Latham's punch on Leamy as the referee was attempting to restore order went unpunished. With the scrum-half Isaac Boss and the prop Bryan Young showing up well, Ireland have greater strength in depth than last season, but as Connolly pointed out, should anything happen to O'Gara they would struggle to replace him and that, as the World Cup draws nearer, looks to be their greatest problem.